Comparison of Socio-economic and Health Status in Rural Primary School Students: A Case of Bangladesh

Objective: Although Bangladesh is rapidly gaining economic development, education and health related indices are not equally developed in all parts of the country. The objective of the study was to compare the socio-economic and health status of students in public and private primary schools.

Methods: This was a cross sectional study conducted among 99 public and 128 private primary school children during 2018. Two public and two private primary schools were selected purposively from 2 villages of Chandpur. Subjects were divided into 2 groups: public primary school students and private primary school students. During a ‘free health check-up and treatment program’, guardians were asked to participate in the study. After taking informed written consent, students and guardians were asked about demographic, socioeconomic (such as, education, occupation, monthly income), and health related factors (such as, antenatal checkup, mode of delivery, immunization, deworming); then, anthropometric measurements (height, weight) and physical examinations of the children were done. Comparison was done between groups.

Results: On socioeconomic status, monthly family income was more and paternal education was higher in private-school students than the public-school students. On health indices, antenatal care (ANC), Caesarian section (CS), living standard, use of sanitary latrine, and nutritional status of private school students were significantly better than public-school students. However, Public school students had higher deworming rate.

Conclusion: Students in private schools had better socio-economic and health status in Bangladesh. Health-related indices are comparable to national parameters. It is recommended that socio-economic and education status needs further improvements for sustainable health and well-being.